I recently encountered an old friend in the form of a Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) at a known site that has a den and an annual family. I was unexpectedly thrust into the role of being the stalker instead of the sly fox. Even that is not a very accurate description as I stopped moving when I spotted it, knowing that it would detect me if I continued my progress. It was busy hunting, likely for small mammals, right along the earth in these grasslands. It took a couple of snaps of my shutter for it to turn around, see me, and then flee, all recorded below.
This is what most mammalian predators, that people often harbor unjustified fears against, do when encountering a human, even in their own wild backyard. They do not want to be seen nor have anything to do with you. Occasionally I have come upon a Red Fox that is a bit more tame than this, going about their business at a distance or, once in a while, following me until I noticed them. They are inquisitive, just as we are, but they still do not want to have to come in to any close quarters situation with a massive human predator. Please do your best to always remember to give them and all wild mammals space and respect and they will do the same for you. What a beautiful creature!
Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
